2 Coríntios 6

ARC · Chapter 6/13

1E nós, cooperando tambem, vos exhortamos a que não recebaes a graça de Deus em vão;

2(Porque diz: Ouvi-te em tempo acceitavel e soccorri-te no dia da salvação: Eis aqui agora o tempo acceitavel, eis aqui agora o dia da salvação.)

3Não dando nós escandalo em coisa alguma, para que o ministerio não seja vituperado;

4Antes, como ministros de Deus, fazendo-nos agradaveis em tudo: na muita soffrença, nas afflicções, nas necessidades, nas angustias,

5Nos açoites, nas prisões, nos tumultos, nos trabalhos, nas vigilias, nos jejuns,

6Na pureza, na sciencia, na longanimidade, na benignidade, no Espirito Sancto, no amor não fingido,

7Na palavra da verdade, no poder de Deus, pelas armas da justiça, á direita e á esquerda,

8Por honra e por deshonra, por infamia e por boa fama: como enganadores, e sendo verdadeiros:

9Como desconhecidos, mas sendo bem conhecidos: como morrendo, e eis que vivemos: como castigados, e não mortos:

10Como contristados, mas sempre alegres: como pobres, mas enriquecendo a muitos: como nada tendo, e possuindo tudo.

11Ó corinthios, a nossa bocca aberta está para vós, o nosso coração está dilatado.

12Não estaes estreitados em nós; mas estaes estreitados nas vossas entranhas.

13Ora, em recompensa d'isto, (fallo como a filhos) dilatae-vos tambem vós.

14Não vos prendaes desegualmente ao jugo com os infieis; porque, que participação tem a justiça com a injustiça? E que communicação tem a luz com as trevas

15E que concordia ha entre Christo e Belial? Ou que parte tem o fiel com o infiel?

16E que consentimento tem o templo de Deus com os idolos? Porque vós sois o templo do Deus vivente, como Deus disse: N'elles habitarei, e entre elles andarei: e eu serei o seu Deus e elles serão o meu povo.

17Pelo que sahi do meio d'elles, e apartae-vos, diz o Senhor; e não toqueis coisa immunda, e eu vos receberei:

18E eu serei para vós Pae e vós sereis para mim filhos e filhas, diz o Senhor todo poderoso.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Paul describes the countless hardships he faced as a servant of God, showing integrity in the midst of extreme trials. He then appeals to the Corinthians not to be bound together with unbelievers in incompatible ways, and opens his heart to ask for reciprocal affection.

Explanation

The long list of sufferings and paradoxes (“as poor, yet making many rich... as having nothing, and yet possessing all things”) functions as a credential of ministerial authenticity: Paul proves his integrity not through success or comfort, but through faithful perseverance amid adversity. The instruction not to be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (v.14) draws on an agricultural image of two oxen of different strength or size trying to plow together, illustrating how foundational partnerships incompatible with faith can harm one's witness and spiritual walk. The chapter ends with Paul asking the Corinthians for reciprocal emotional openness, showing how deeply intertwined ministry and affection were for him. Today's application involves discernment about alliances and commitments that could compromise faithfulness to God.

Fun facts

  • The combined quotation of several Old Testament texts in verses 16-18 (including Leviticus, Isaiah, and Ezekiel) is an example of how New Testament writers often wove related passages together to reinforce a single theological argument.
  • The expression 'be ye not unequally yoked together' has become, throughout Christian history, a common reference in discussions about marriage between believers and unbelievers, although Paul's original context is broader, dealing with alliances and commitments in general.

Verse-by-verse explanation

  1. 2 Coríntios 6:1He continues the appeal from the end of chapter 5: since God offered this reconciliation freely, Paul asks the Corinthians not to let that grace pass without real effect in their lives.
  2. 2 Coríntios 6:2Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah, who spoke of “a time accepted” and “the day of salvation,” God's right moment to act. He applies this to the present, saying that the foretold time has now come with the preaching of the gospel.
  3. 2 Coríntios 6:3He explains his extreme care not to give any cause for scandal: he wants to protect the credibility of his preaching work, so no one has reason to criticize him.
  4. 2 Coríntios 6:4He begins a list of practical proofs that he is a genuine minister of God: patience amid sufferings, afflictions, and various needs — the following verses continue the list.
  5. 2 Coríntios 6:5He continues the list of real hardships Paul faced: beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard labor, sleepless nights, and fasting — a very concrete picture of the physical cost of his work.
  6. 2 Coríntios 6:6The list shifts from physical suffering to character qualities: purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, and unfeigned love — all of this, Paul says, also proves his integrity.
  7. 2 Coríntios 6:7He continues listing his credentials: speaking the truth, acting in God's power, using weapons of righteousness both to attack and to defend (“on the right hand and on the left”), a military image of being ready on every side.
  8. 2 Coríntios 6:8He describes how he is seen in opposite ways depending on who is looking: treated with honor by some and dishonor by others, called a deceiver by some even though he is sincere.
  9. 2 Coríntios 6:9Paul describes an apostle's daily life as a list of contrasts — honor and dishonor, dying and living, poor and making others rich — to show how the Christian life, seen from outside, seemed full of contradictions that only made sense through faith.
  10. 2 Coríntios 6:10He closes the list of contrasts: sorrowful yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, having nothing yet possessing everything — the Christian life, seen from outside, seems full of contradictions that only make sense through faith.
  11. 2 Coríntios 6:11He shifts tone, from a list of hardships to a direct emotional appeal: Paul says he speaks to the Corinthians with an open heart, holding nothing back.
  12. 2 Coríntios 6:12He explains that any distance between them doesn't come from Paul's side, but from the Corinthians themselves, who are closing themselves off emotionally.
  13. 2 Coríntios 6:13He asks for reciprocity, treating the Corinthians as children: since he has opened himself so much, he asks that they open themselves back to him, to the same degree.
  14. 2 Coríntios 6:14The phrase “unequally yoked” is an image drawn from the law that forbade harnessing an ox and a donkey together to the same plow, animals of different strength and pace (Deuteronomy 22:10). Paul uses this to warn against partnerships that bind a Christian too tightly to someone who doesn't share the same faith.
  15. 2 Coríntios 6:15“Belial” was a name used at the time to refer to the devil or the forces of evil. Paul asks what Christ has to do with Belial, reinforcing the contrast of the unequal yoke from the previous verse.
  16. 2 Coríntios 6:16A rhetorical question reinforcing the warning against alliances with those who don't share the faith: just as a temple doesn't fit with idols, Christians, “the temple of the living God,” shouldn't mix with practices contrary to God.
  17. 2 Coríntios 6:17He quotes Old Testament prophets (such as Isaiah 52) calling for separation from impure practices, promising that God receives those who make that choice.
  18. 2 Coríntios 6:18He completes the previous quotation with a promise of family relationship: God becomes a Father to those who separate from such practices, and they become His sons and daughters.

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